Latching device for knife-switches.



G. L. CHRISTMAN & H. BAXTER.

LATCHlNG DEVICE FOR KNIFE SWITCHES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5. 1914.

1 1 99,45 1 Patented Sept. 26, 1916. -45 9 {0,

q HQ. 2.

WITNESSES: INVENTOES ATTORN EY TUBING COIVIPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENIISYLVAF LATCHING DEVICE FOR. KNlFEfiHXTiL. 12$

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 5, 1914. Serial 31'0. 816,385

T 0 all whom it may concern I Be it known that we, GEORGE LINTON Crrms'r'MAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Swissvale, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, and HAROLD BAXTER, a subject of .the King of Great Britain,and a resident of Wilkins burg, inthe county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Latching Devices for Knife-Switches, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to circuit interrupters, and it has special reference to devices for detachably latching the movable members of knife switches in. place.

Ourinvention has for its object to provide a latching device which is eiiicient and simple in construction and which can be applied to knife switches of existing types without any alteration in their structure.

Our invention can best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a knife switch equipped with our improved latching device, and Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation of such a switch.

Referring to the drawings, a knife blade switch member 1 is pivoted at 2 to a terminal member 2* on a base 3 and adapted to be moved into and out ofengagement with contact members 4, in the usual manner. The member 1 and the contact mem ber 45 are provided with holes which are occupied by pivot pins 5 and 12, to be hereinafter described. i

The latching portion of ourdevice is pivotally mounted upon the pin 5 and coinprises a hook member 6 having a portion 7 which is adapted to engage the end 8 of the switch blade 1 and hold it in its closed position. The hook member 6 has a shoe 20 formed on the end nearest the engaging portion 7 and it is retained normally in its operative position by means of a pin 9 which is forced outwardly from the body of the member by a spring 10 and bcarsagainst a base portion 11 of the contact member 4.

We provide a device for withdrawing the member 6 and disengaging the member 1 from the contact member 4 that comprises an arm 13 which is pivotally supported upon the pin 12. The-arm 13 is normally formed in the free end of the held in the'position shown in 1 spring 15, that is coiled about the pin and is held in place by a collar "21 hat-i o a projection 22 which is engagei'i by one of the spring. opening 17 may arm 13, into which a hook may be inserted for the purpose of opening the switch. The ring formed by the opening 17 may oln'iously be replaced by a hook, handle or other engag ing means. At the opposite end of the tripping member 13 is a hammerdike striking head 18 that is adapted to engage the rear face 19 of the hook member .6.

VV'nen the switch is closed, the parts occupy the positions shown in Fig. 1.. Fl-lien it is desired to open the switch, a hook is manually inserted in the opening 17. and given a downward pull to cause the head 18 to strike against the face 19 of the hook member 6 and thus eflect such movement of the member upon its pivot 5 as to freethe end of the blade 1 and permit the switch the corner 23 of the blade 1 engages the shoe of the hook member 6 to effect such movement of the member upon its pivot 5 as will permit the blade to be inserted between the jaws of the contact member 4:. When the blade reaches its closed position, the hook portion 7 is again in position to retain it in that position.

It is obvious that many changes may be made in the structure which we have described and shown without departing from the intent and spirit of our invention, which is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. I

4 o claim as our invention:

1. In a latching device for knifeblade switches,

blade to be pulled away from the" contact 7 member 4. When the switch 'is again closed,

the combination with a latch pivoted on the stationary contact member a of the switch and having a portion adapted to hold the switch blade in its closed posi tion, and a pin spring-pressed outwardly from the body of the latch andcoiiperating with the base of the stationary contact memher to hold the latch yieldingly in its operative position, of means pivoted on the blade for causing the latch to release the blade.

2. In a latching device for knife-blade switches, the combination with a latch pivoted on the stationary contact member member to hold the latch yielding;

of the switch and having a portion adapted to hold the switch blade in its closed position, and a pin spring-pressed outwardly.

from the body of the latch and cooperating with the base of the stationary contact tionary contact member of the switch, said latch having a portion on one of its-arms adapted to extend over the end of the switch blade to hold it in its closed position and an enlarged portion on its other arm, and a pin spring-pressed outwardly from the body of the latch to hold the latch yieldingly in its operative position, of a striking I member pivoted on the switch blade and adapted to engage the enlarged portion of the latch only when the switch is to be .opened.

4. In switches e combination of a latch pivoted on the stationary contact member of the switch and having a portion adapted to hold device for electric knife t I i 7 the switch blade in its closed position, and

a pin spring-pressed outwardly from the body of the latch and cooperating with the base of the stationary contact member to hold the latch yieldingly in its operative position, saidlatch also having a shoe portion adapted to be engaged by the end of the blade when the switch is being closed, whereby the latch is rotated to permit the end of the blade to be engaged .by the latch, with means mounted on the blade for causing the latchto release the blade.

In testimony whereof, we .have hereunto subscribed our names this 28th day of J an., 1914.

GEORGE LINTON CHRISTMAN. HAROLD BAXTER,

Witnesses:

JNO. M. KECHNIE, B. B. Hn ms. 

